GLOBALISATION, NATIONALISM AND SOVEREIGNTY

Today, globalisation is more complex than ever. The effects of the global financial crisis and increased inequality have, in many countries, spurred anti-global sentiment and encouraged the adoption of populist and inward-looking policies. Discontent has manifested in some surprising results: Brexit, Trump, and possibly more to come. In Indonesia, it has led to rising protectionism, a rejection of foreign interference in the name of nationalism, and economic policies dominated by calls for self-sufficiency. Meanwhile, human trafficking and the abuse of migrant workers have shown the other side of globalisation.

Againts this background the ANU Indonesia Project held its 35th Indonesia Update conference on 15 and 16 September in Canberra. As usual, the coference kicked off with the updates on politic and economic development. Then centered on the theme “Indonesia in the New World: Globalisation, Nationalism and Sovereignty”, fourteen papers were presented to the audience of more than 500 during the one-and-half-day event. The topics included the historical dynamics of Indonesia’s engagement with the global world, its stance in the South China Sea, and the emergence of new nationalism. Speakers also examined nationalism in practice (for example, food sovereignty and resource nationalism) and the impact of and response to globalisation, as well as poverty, inequality, and gender issues.

Following the Canberra conference, we held two “Mini Indonesia Updates” on 18 September, in Sydney (in collaboration with the Lowy Institute) and in Adelaide (in collaboration with the University of Adelaide’s Institute for International Trade).

The papers presented in the conference will be published in the Indonesia Update book series and will be launched next year, in collaboration with the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS)/ Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore.

Convenors:

Arianto Patunru (ANU)

Mari Pangestu (Universitas Indonesia)

Muhamad Chatib Basri (Universitas Indonesia)

ANU Indonesia Project wishes to thank The Australian National University and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their substantial and continuing support.

Speakers’ profiles and videos of Globalisation, nationalism and sovereignty at New Mandala.

Media coverage

“The main takeaway from the Australian National University’s annual Indonesia Update conference is that economic nationalism is taking structural hold on the country in contrast to the cyclical interventionism that has previously occurred during times of high commodity prices,” Greg Earl wrote in The Interpreter, Economic diplomacy brief: Free vs fair trade in Indonesia, RBA on iron ore, ageing in Asia and more.

Creco Research Institute co-founder Raden Pardede said that radicalism that continues to grow since Jakarta election has hampered investment. The issue has made investors suspend their capital expenditure, he said. “It has resulted in a sluggish investment growth this year,” he said at the Indonesia Update Conference 2017 held last week at Australia National University, Canberra, Australia. Radicalism hampers investment by Tempo. The Indonesian language version is available (by subscription).

The world has yet to fully recover from the global financial crisis. Economic growth is still lackluster. Inequality increases even in countries where poverty has gone down. These factors are widely seen as the main causes that have led to the rising anti-global sentiments around the globe and prompted leaders to adopt populist and inward-looking policies. In Indonesia, such discontent has also manifested in rising nationalism, which in economic sphere takes the form (or is used as justification for) protectionism, rejection of foreign interference and economic policies aiming for self-sufficiency in an array of commodities, including those of which Indonesia is a natural net importer. Arianto Patunru, Co-convenor of the 2017 Indonesia Update, wrote for The Jakarta Post in Globalisation, protectionism, populism under Jokowi (premium content).